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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who accidentally lets Amara out among some dogs?

2. What does Palinor tell Dolca she can do?

3. What does the priest tell the Mother Superior?

4. About what do Palinor, Severo, and Beneditx speak?

5. What do Severo and Beneditx debate?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Joffre tell Palinor about Dolca?

2. What does Josefa observe about Amara especially when thinking about her younger brothers?

3. How does the author ask the reader to think about the island? What would those thoughts reveal?

4. What does Severo think about as he falls asleep the first night of visiting Palinor and Beneditx?

5. When a man comes up to Amara and Josefa as they cut nettles what does he tell them?

6. What did Joffre ask Palinor and what was his reply?

7. What do Severo and Beneditx debate about and what are each of their views?

8. What happens when Dolca comes into Palinor's room on an errand?

9. Why don't Margalida and Josefa get along?

10. How does Sor Blancha realize Amara misses Josefa and what happens when she does?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a glimmer of hope for the nuns as Amara takes to the litter box. Her savage nature, however, is once more revealed as she immediately is accepted into a pack of hunters' hounds.

1. Do you think it is possible for a child to be raised in the wilds and survive? Why or why not?

2. Do you think, given Amara's age, she will ever be able to act completely human? Why or why not?

3. How do you think the situation with Amara could be used to test the nature versus nurture controversy?

Essay Topic 2

This chapter elaborates on some of the primary religious questions raised in the novel. Palinor believes he arrived on the island by accident, while Severo and Beneditx believe his presence must have a godly purpose.

1. Do you think Palinor arrived at the island by accident? Why or why not?

2. Why do you think Severo and Beneditx want to persuade Palinor his coming was no accident?

3. If Palinor is burned at the stake for his lack of belief, would that change your answer to the first two questions? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

While Taddeo and Margalida break no laws, their heartless treatment of Josefa brings up questions of what is the true nature of Christian love, especially between a parent and a child.

1. Explain why you agree or disagree with the statement above.

2. Do you think just because someone claims to be religious it automatically makes them a good person? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Taddeo and Margalida's treatment of Josefa is abusive? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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